Automotive vehicle with open air system

ABSTRACT

An open air system ( 21 ) for an automotive vehicle includes a roof panel ( 23, 25 ), which can be retracted to a stowed position below a storage compartment cover ( 29 ). In another aspect of the present invention, two or more generally rigid roof panels ( 23, 25 ) are movable from above a passenger compartment ( 33 ) to below a generally horizontal plane ( 261 ). A further aspect of the present invention provides a back window ( 27 ), which can be raised and lowered.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of PCT/US02/16683, filed May28, 2002 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/294,168, filed May 29, 2001 the disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to automotive vehiclesand more specifically to an open air system for an automotive vehicle.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is common in the automotive industry to employ fabric coveredconvertible roofs and hardtop convertible roofs, which are movable froma closed position above a passenger compartment to a retracted positionwithin a bootwell or trunk. It is also known to provide movable tonneaucovers to cover the stowed convertible roofs. For example, referenceshould be made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,764 entitled “Vehicle BodyConstruction for Hardtop Convertible” which issued to Kogawa et al. onFeb. 25, 1992, and German 38 16 060 entitled “Passenger Car having aTwo-Part Hardtop” which was published on Nov. 16, 1989. However, mostautomotive vehicles must be parked and prevented from driving when theconvertible roof is moved between the closed and stowed position.Otherwise, the wind created during driving would catch the inside of theconvertible roof and tonneau cover when they are pivoted tonear-vertical positions thereby potentially damaging the mechanisms.Therefore, many recent vehicles have either employed electric circuitsthat require the parking brake to be applied or the automatictransmission must be shifted to the park position, before theconvertible roof actuators are energized.

[0004] It has also become desirable to maximize the open air or openroof space above the passenger compartment. The following U.S. patentsdisclose various conventional sunroof constructions: U.S. Pat. No.5,961,177 entitled “Sunroof Assembly Drain Trough for an AutomotiveVehicle” which issued to Caye et al. on Oct. 5, 1999; U.S. Pat. No.5,951,100 entitled “Sunroof Assembly for an Automotive Vehicle” whichissued to Ewing et al. on Sep. 14, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,779entitled “Power Sliding Sunroof” which issued to Mizuno et al. on Mar.30, 1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,937 entitled “Roof System for Vehicle”which issued to Yamamoto on Jul. 9, 1991; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,018,783entitled “Slidable, Foldable, and Removable Vehicle Sunroof” whichissued to Chamings et al. on May 28, 1991. All of these patents areincorporated by reference herein. While many of these prior arrangementshave significantly improved the art, however, the open air space canstill be further increased while increasing passenger compartmentheadroom.

[0005] Another traditional automotive vehicle has employed a flexiblefabric roof which can be closed by manually snapping or otherwiseattaching the fabric roof to stationary roof rails and a front header.This fabric roof can also be manually rolled up to expose fully thepassenger compartment between the roof rails. Notwithstanding, thisconventional approach is time-consuming to close, unsightly, and cannotbe easily retracted during vehicle driving and lacks adequate coldweather insulating properties.

[0006] In accordance with the present invention, an open air system foran automotive vehicle includes a roof panel, which can be retracted to astowed position below a storage compartment cover. In another aspect ofthe present invention, two or more generally rigid roof panels aremovable from above a passenger compartment to below a plane defined by aclosed rear deck lid. A further aspect of the present invention providesa back window, which can be raised and lowered without necessitatingretraction of a movable roof panel. Still another aspect of the presentinvention employs a pair of stationary side rails, one or more generallyrigid roof panels, and a generally rigid back window, which are allmovable from passenger compartment covering positions to stowedpositions beneath a tonneau cover. In a further aspect of the presentinvention, a tonneau cover mechanism employs links and a slide. Anotheraspect of the present invention provides a locking system for a slidablepanel. A four-bar linkage mechanism is used for a slidable panel in yetanother aspect of the present invention. Additionally, a further aspectof the present invention provides an integrated tonneau cover and openair sealing arrangement.

[0007] The open air roof system of the present invention is advantageousover conventional devices in that the present invention allows for easyretraction and closure of a convertible roof with a rigid tonneau cover.The use of stationary side rails for the present invention also enhancesvehicle structural integrity when the roof panels are stowed while alsoserving as a sturdy platform to mount elongated tracks, thecorresponding roof panel driving mechanisms and the weatherstrip seal.The roof system of the present invention also advantageously allowsindependent venting and partial retracted opening of the front roofpanel regardless of whether the back window is closed or stowed. Theback window can also be opened without requiring concurrent movement ofthe front or rear roof panels. The sealing arrangement of the presentinvention is advantageous over conventional constructions since thepresent invention uses a single-piece seal along the entire roof andtonneau cover opening; this minimizes leakage-prone joints and reducespart count inventory. The linkage mechanisms for the slidable panels andthe tonneau cover advantageously allow for engagement and disengagementfrom the adjacent sealing segments.

[0008] Further areas of applicability of the present invention willbecome apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. Itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention,are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating thepreferred embodiment of the open air system of the present inventionwith a front roof panel, mid roof panel, back window and tonneau coverall located in their respective closed positions;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating thepreferred embodiment open air system of FIG. 1 with the front roof paneldisposed in a partially open spoiler position;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating thepreferred embodiment open air system of FIG. 1 with the back windowdisposed in its open and stowed position;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating thepreferred embodiment open air system of FIG. 1 with the front roofpanel, mid roof panel and back window all retracted to their open andstowed positions below the tonneau cover;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic side view illustrating the preferredembodiment open air system with the front roof panel disposed in itsintermediate open spoiler position;

[0015]FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side view illustrating the preferredembodiment open air system with front roof panel, mid roof panel, andback window retracted to their open and stowed positions below thetonneau cover;

[0016]FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a frontsunroof panel mechanism employed in the preferred embodiment open airsystem;

[0017]FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the front sunroof panelmechanism disposed in a fully closed and forward most position employedin the preferred embodiment open air system;

[0018]FIG. 9 is a fragmentary and enlarged perspective view illustratingthe front portion of the roof panel track employed in the preferredembodiment open air system;

[0019]FIG. 10 is a fragmentary and enlarged perspective viewillustrating the bottom and rear portions of the primary andsupplemental tracks as well as the actuators, employed in the preferredembodiment open air system;

[0020] FIGS. 11-15 are a sequential series of diagrammatic side viewsillustrating the front sunroof panel mechanism employed in the preferredembodiment open air system;

[0021]FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the rearsunroof panel mechanism employed in the preferred embodiment open airsystem;

[0022]FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic side view illustrating the interfacebetween the front and rear sunroof panel mechanisms employed in thepreferred embodiment open air system;

[0023] FIGS. 18-21 are a series of side elevational views illustratingthe retraction and opening sequence for the back window mechanismemployed in the preferred embodiment open air system;

[0024]FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating the primary andsupplemental tracks employed in the preferred embodiment open airsystem;

[0025]FIG. 23 is a cross sectional centerline view illustrating a sealarrangement between the back window and tonneau cover, both beingdisposed in their closed positions, employed in the preferred embodimentopen air system;

[0026]FIG. 24 is exploded perspective view illustrating the sealingarrangement for the back window and tonneau cover employed with thepreferred embodiment open air system; and

[0027]FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a back windowmechanism employed in the preferred embodiment open air system;

[0028] FIGS. 26-28 are perspective views illustrating the back windowmechanism employed in the preferred embodiment open air system;

[0029]FIGS. 29 and 30 are exploded perspective views illustrating a pulldown latching apparatus for the back window employed in the preferredembodiment open air system;

[0030] FIGS. 31-34 are a series of diagrammatic side views illustratingopening sequence of movement for a tonneau cover mechanism employed inthe preferred embodiment open air system;

[0031]FIG. 35 is a perspective view illustrating the weather sealingarrangement for the vehicle body-to-open air system interface, employedwith the preferred embodiment open air system;

[0032]FIG. 36 is a cross sectional view taken along the centerlineillustrating the body weather seal at the front header panel-to-frontsunroof panel interface employed with the preferred embodiment open airsystem;

[0033]FIG. 37 is a cross sectional view, transversely taken along a siderail section, illustrating the body weather seal at the siderail-to-front sunroof panel interface, with the front sunroof paneldisposed in an fully closed position, employed with the preferredembodiment open air system;

[0034]FIG. 38 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the sealcarrier arrangement for the rear sunroof panel employed in with thepreferred embodiment open air system;

[0035]FIG. 39 is a centerline cross sectional view illustrating thesealing arrangement at the front sunroof panel-to-rear sunroof panelinterface, employed with the preferred embodiment open air system, whenthe front and rear sunroof panels are both disposed in their fullyclosed positions; and

[0036]FIG. 40 is a fragmentary perspective view like that of FIG. 1illustrating a water flow path for the sealing arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] The following description of the preferred embodiment is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

[0038] With particular reference to FIGS. 1-6, the preferred embodimentof an open air system 21 according to the principles of the presentinvention is illustrated having a front roof panel 23, a mid roof panel25, a back window or backlite 27, and a tonneau cover 29. Front roofpanel 23, mid roof panel 25 and back window 27 all span in a crosscardirection between a pair of stationary side roof rails 31 above apassenger compartment 33. A front header 35 serves to connectstructurally together side roof rails 31 adjacent to a front windshield37. Side roof rails 31 rearwardly transition into enlarged C-pillars 39,which are also known as, quarter upper panels or sail panels. Tonneaucover 29 spans in a crosscar manner between C-pillars 39. A roof storagecompartment 209 is covered by tonneau cover 29. Furthermore, a trunkcompartment 41 is covered by a pivotable trunk or deck lid 43. Deck lid43 is disposed behind and generally parallel with the horizontallyclosed tonneau cover 29. Front roof panel 23 and mid roof panel 25 eachinclude outer and inner sub-panels, preferably stamped from aluminum orsteel sheet that are attached together.

[0039] As best seen in FIGS. 5-14, a front drive mechanism 451 for frontroof panel 23 is provided. A roof panel track 271 is mounted to eachside rail 31. Roof panel track 271 is preferably extruded from aluminumand is elongated in a generally fore-and-aft direction extending fromfront header 35 (FIGS. 1-6) to the bottom of roof storage compartment209. A front carrier 273, has feet 453 extending in a lateral crosscardirection that engage undercut grooves 272 of roof panel track 271.Front and rear camming slots 279 and 280, respectively, are located infront carrier 273. A first camming pin 455 transversely projects from abracket 457 for engagably following along front camming slot 279.Similarly, a second camming pin 459 transversely projects from bracket457 for engagably following along camming slot 280. A third camming pin471 extending from an opposite face of bracket 457 engagably follows acamming slot 473 of a drive block 475. Bracket 457 is adhesively bonded,encapsulated, or otherwise fastened to an interior surface of front roofpanel 23.

[0040] An inexpensive, flexible, and elongated roof panels drive cable295 is positioned above and external to roof panel track 271 and has aneyelet 481 (see FIG. 9) which is fastened to drive block 475. Thisallows a less complicated and less expensive extruded track to be usedwithout a circular passage for internally accepting the cable.Accordingly, with particular reference to FIGS. 11-15, when a firstelectric motor actuator 297 (FIG. 10) rearwardly pulls roof panels drivecable 295 on top of roof panel track 271, drive block 475 will moverelative to roof panel track 271 and front header 35. The first electricmotor actuator 297 includes a fractional horsepower, direct current,electromagnetic motor 299 and a rotary cable drum 301 (FIG. 10). Theelectronic control unit will act in response to a vehicle operatorswitch and will thus energize first electric motor actuator 297 foreither a predetermined time or until a hall-effect or similar encoderindicates the desired position of drive block 475. Drive block 475 isretracted rearwardly in an initial lost motion manner wherein a fourthcamming pin 483 rotates a pull down actuator 485. This causes a pulldown rod 487, coupled between a cage and a pivot of pull down actuator485, to move linearly rearward. Next, pull down rod movement rearwardlyrotates a rear pull down lock 489, which in turn, disengages from a pulldown pin 490 stationarily secured to roof panel track 271.

[0041] Subsequent retraction of drive block 475 allows camming pins 455,459 and 471 to slide upwardly in their associated camming slots 279, 280and 473 thereby vertically lifting front roof panel 23 off of body seal63 (FIG. 36) and slightly rearward to a spoiler venting position,partially above mid roof panel 25. When the cable subsequently pullsdrive block 475 further rearward, a generally C-shaped mouth 491 ofdrive block 475 engages and upwardly cams a pin 493 of a front rooflocking shoe 495 (FIG. 15). This rotatably releases front roof lockingshoe 495 from an aperture 497 in a bottom surface of roof panel track271, against a spring 498. Subsequently, the entire vented front roofpanel 23 is retracted above a plane of the otherwise stationary mid roofpanel 25 in an overlapping spoiler-type arrangement as shown in FIG. 5.

[0042] Venting movement of front roof panel 23 allows extension of anelongated arm coupled to a wind deflector 499, due to spring biasedactuation. When reversed, carrier downwardly depresses the elongated armto lower wind deflector 499.

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 16, panel mechanism 501 includes a reardrive block 503, a carrier 505, a bracket 507, and a track-to-carrierlocking shoe 509, all operating in a similar manner to those parts forfront drive mechanism 451. However, rear drive block 503 is moved byinterlocking engagement with front carrier 273.

[0044] With particular reference to FIGS. 15-17, it can be seen thatrearward movement of front carrier 273 causes unlocking of a roof panelcarrier lock 521, whereby a generally L-shaped pawl has a foot which isupwardly rotated to disengage from an aperture in the bottom of roofpanel track 271. Moreover, a transversely projecting pin 523 of mid roofpanel carrier lock 521 upwardly slides into a generally C-shaped mouth525 of a locking member section 527 of front carrier 273. In analternate embodiment, the interlocked roof panels can be stopped in anypartially opened position between FIGS. 5 and 6. Further rearwardsliding movement of front carrier 273 indirectly causes disengagement oftrack-to-carrier locking shoe 509. Specifically, rearward slidingmovement of front carrier 273 causes drive block 503 to travel rearwardto disengage track-to-carrier locking shoe 509, which is attached to midpanel 505. Thus, when front roof panel 23 has been moved to itsintermediate open spoiler position as shown in FIG. 5, front and midroof panels 23 and 25, respectively, are securely locked together andwill move simultaneously together throughout further retraction into thestorage compartment. In the reverse direction, forward advancingmovement of the front roof panel will concurrently cause mid roof panel25 to follow until mid roof panel 25 is in its fully closed position,shown again in FIG. 5. At this point, mid roof panel carrier lock 521will reengage roof panel track 271 and become disengaged from C-shapedmouth 525 of front carrier 273 upon further advancing and closingmovement of front roof panel 23. Thus, a separate electric motor andcable system is not required for mid roof panel 25, thereby reducingcost and simplifying the construction.

[0045] With reference now to FIGS. 18-30, back window 27 is preferablyformed in a three-dimensional manner from glass. A metal support frame51 is encapsulated to the interior surface of back window 27 and ispartly visible at the top edge. As seen in FIG. 10, a second electricmotor actuator 54 is mounted in roof storage compartment 209. A backwindow drive cable 55 (FIG. 22) pulls back window 27, located above asecondary track 205. A flexible rubber bulb seal 57 (see FIGS. 23 and24) is affixed to a lower edge of back window 27 and compresses againsta drain trough or sealing surface 621 mounted to an upper and forwardposition of tonneau cover 29.

[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 18-21 and 25-30, a back window couplingmechanism 671 slidably couples back window 27 to secondary track 205.Back window coupling mechanism 671 includes a main drive block 673, aback window carrier 675, a drive link 677, and a follower link 679. Maindrive block 673 has an arcuate shaped camming surface 681 defining aninternal slot, which engages a cam following pin 684 extending from aproximal end 683 of a drive link 677. A generally middle portion 685 ofdrive link 677 is rotatably coupled to back window carrier 675 at apivot 999. A proximal end 687 of follower link 679 is rotatably coupledto a forward section of main drive block 673 at a pivot pin 680. Distalends 693 and 695 of drive link 677 and follower link 679, respectively,are rotatably and/or slidably attached to brackets 691 attached to thesupport frame of back window 27. Main drive block 673 and back windowcarrier 675 are slidable within separated but parallel, undercut grooves697 a and 697 b of secondary track 205.

[0047] Referring briefly to FIG. 10, second electric motor actuator 54includes an electric motor 701 and rotary cable drum 703 and is disposedadjacent to a bottom of secondary track 205 within roof storagecompartment 209. A first end 55 a of back window drive cable 55 isrotatably wound around rotatable cable drum 703 when electric motor 701rotates the drum in a first direction. An opposite end 55 b of backwindow drive cable 55 is pulled around the drum if electric motor 701 isoperated in a reverse direction. Pulleys 705 and 707 (FIGS. 10 and 22)located adjacent the ends of secondary track 205 change the pullingdirection of back window drive cable 55 in response to energization ofthe second electric motor actuator 54. The back window cable isexternally mounted to the track and has an eyelet that is coupled to anddrives main drive block 673 in an advancing or retracting linearlysliding manner relative to secondary track 205. Generally, curvedsecondary track 205 is mounted to the inside of a quarter panel 207(FIG. 4) and/or within roof storage compartment 209.

[0048] Retraction of main drive block 673 toward roof storagecompartment 209 causes camming surface 681 of main drive block 673 torotate downwardly proximal end 683 of drive link 677 while upwardly andoutwardly rotating distal end 693 of drive link 677 away from secondarytrack 205 and the vehicle. Follower link 679 will rotatably follow in agenerally parallel manner thereby lifting back window 27 off thecorresponding segment of body seal 63. This movement also serves toraise the bottom of back window 27 off tonneau cover 29. Drive link 677,follower link 679, main drive block 673/back window carrier 675, andback window/frame 27 act as a four-bar linkage assembly.

[0049] A back window-locking pawl 721 is pivotably coupled to backwindow carrier 675 at pivot 678. A downwardly projecting foot of backwindow locking pawl 721 operably engages and abuts against a rectangularaperture in secondary track 205. This serves to maintain the location ofback window coupling mechanism 671 until it is desired to fully retractand stow back window 27 into roof storage compartment 209. After backwindow 27 has been moved to its lifted intermediate position (as shownin FIG. 19), further retracted pulling of back window drive cable 55 byrotary cable drum 703 causes an unlock cam extension 725 projecting frommain drive block 673 to slide downwardly along secondary track 205toward roof storage compartment 209. Unlock cam extension 725 has agenerally C-shaped mouth 726 facing in a somewhat rearward and downwarddirection. A ramp 728 defines a lower portion of C-shaped mouth 726 forunlock cam extension 725. Rearward movement of unlock cam extension 725causes a transversely extending pin 727 extending from back windowlocking pawl 721 of back window carrier 675 to ride up ramp 728 ofunlock cam extension 725 as shown in FIG. 20. This serves to disengageback window locking pawl 721 from the aperture in secondary track 205,such that back window carrier 675 as well as the remaining back windowmechanism and back window 27 can freely slide downward along secondarytrack 205 into roof storage compartment 209 when second electric motoractuator 54 is energized.

[0050] As can be observed in FIGS. 18-21, 29, and 30, a bellcrank 801has a first end rotatably engagable by a pin 803 mounted to a forwardend of main drive block 673. A middle of bellcrank 801 is journalledabout a pivot 805 coupled to a support bracket 807. An opposite end 808of bellcrank 801 is pivotably coupled to an elongated pull down backwindow rod 809. The opposite end of back window rod 809 is pivotablycoupled to a bottom of a bellcrank latch 811. A middle of bellcranklatch 811 is rotatably coupled to a latch support bracket 813 secured toroof panel track 271. Furthermore, a hook-like end 815 of bellcranklatch 811 is rotated from an engaged position with a striker 821 to adisengaged position in response to movement of main drive block 673, viabellcrank 801 and back window rod 809. Striker 821, including a bracket823 and a pin 825, downwardly projects from an inside surface of metalsupport frame 51 or other back window extension panel located adjacentthe front and upward edge of back window 27. This serves to compress theleading section of back window/frame 27 against the correspondingsealing segment, and then allow for its release for lifting then fullretraction movement.

[0051] Referring now to FIGS. 31-34, a tonneau cover drive mechanism 861for tonneau cover 29 is provided. Tonneau cover drive mechanism 861, aswell as most other drive mechanisms discussed herein, are disposed in amirrored symmetrical fashion on both sides of the vehicle and will onlybe further described herein for one side. A proximal end 873 of atonneau drive link 863 is pivotably coupled to a stationary supportbracket 865. An opposite distal end 875 of tonneau drive link 863 ispivotably coupled to a bracket affixed to an inside of tonneau cover 29.An electric motor or hydraulic actuator (not shown) is coupled totonneau drive link 863. A tonneau follower link 867 has a distal end 877pivotably coupled to the tonneau cover bracket and has an oppositeproximal end 879 pivotably slidable along a stationary tonneau track869. Proximal end 879 of tonneau follower link 867 also is pivotablycoupled to a drag link 871 that has its opposite end pivotably coupledto tonneau drive link 863. This provides a six-bar linkage mechanismwith a sliding track control. This construction allows some initialvertical movement to disengage the adjacent sealing section and thenmoves rigid tonneau cover 29 along a generally horizontal plane betweenthe closed position shown in FIG. 31 to the fully open position shown inFIG. 34. When in the fully open position, the tonneau cover allows foradvancing and retracting access of the back window, mid roof panel, andfront roof panel into and out of the roof storage compartment.

[0052] The general operation is as follows. An electronic control unit,such as a microprocessor, will first energize electric motor 701 tocause back window coupling mechanism 671 to raise back window 27. Next,the electronic control unit energizes the tonneau actuation that drivestonneau cover drive mechanism 861 to rearwardly slide and open tonneaucover 29. The geometry of tonneau drive link 863 and sliding tonneaufollower link 867 causes tonneau cover 29 to move in a slightly verticalbut mostly horizontal direction, with minimal angular tipping of tonneaucover 29 (FIGS. 31-34). Tonneau cover 29 is in an overlappingorientation relative to deck lid 43 when open. The open position oftonneau cover 29 allows back window 27 and movable roof panels 23, 25 tobe retracted from their closed positions covering passenger compartment33, to their stowed and open positions within roof storage compartment209, which is below a beltline or generally horizontal deck lid plane261. For purposes of this disclosure, the beltline is defined generallyas the intersection where the windows of the vehicle meet the paintedbody. Accordingly, tonneau cover 29 opening and closing movement as wellas back window 27 intermediate movement allows for unsealing of eachseal, especially compared to a conventional rigid tonneau cover thatpivots to a generally vertical orientation.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 35-37, a single or integrated, one-piece, bodyseal 63 extends in a continuous manner transversely across the frontheader 35, longitudinally along both side roof rails 31, longitudinallyalong C-pillars 39 adjacent roof storage compartment 206, andtransversely across the rear structural beam adjacent a rear edge ofroof storage compartment 206. Body seal 63 has a generally U-shape witha first upstanding leg 901 surrounding an upstanding flange of the siderail roof gutter, and a second and longer upstanding leg 903 outwardlypositioned therefrom. A hollow and compressible bulb is located on eachupstanding leg 901, 903. Molded drain pockets 905, 907, 909, and 911 areattached to the weather seal adjacent the front corners and at thetransitions between side roof rails 31 and storage compartment 206.Drain tubes are connected to pockets 905 and 907. The water flowing atthe rear drains into the body water trough surrounding the vehicledecklid. Thus, the front and side edges of front roof panel 23compressibly seal against the body seal 63 when fully closed.Furthermore, the side edges of mid roof panel 25 compressibly sealagainst body seal 63 when in its closed position. The side edges of backwindow/frame 27 also compressibly seal against body seal 63 when backwindow 27 is in its fully closed position. Finally, the side and rearedges of tonneau cover 29 will compressibly seal against body seal 63,when tonneau cover 29 is in its fully closed position. Body seal 63 isan extruded rubber or elastomeric polymer member of generally constantcross section. That is, a portion of body seal 63 extending along theheader and side rails may be formed from an identical extrusion.Furthermore, this seal may also be used along the tonneau cover.

[0054] As illustrated in FIGS. 38 and 39, mid roof panel 25 has aleading depressed drain trough and a trailing depressed drain trough,which both extend in a crosscar manner. The leading depressed draintrough is separate from the trailing depressed drain trough. Atransverse seal 69 is mounted on peripheral flanges of these draintroughs for abutting against interior surfaces of the correspondingfront roof panel 23 and back window 27. Accordingly, water flow isdirected as illustrated in FIG. 40. Molded end details transition waterto the body drain troughs in body seal 63. It should be noted that asimilar sealing arrangement may be used between mid roof panel 25 andback window 27, wherein the seal is mounted to mid roof panel 25.

[0055] While the preferred embodiment of the open air system for anautomotive vehicle has been disclosed herein, it should be appreciatedthat other embodiments may be employed without departing from thepresent invention. For example, the preferred body-colored, metal roofpanels may be replaced by generally transparent glass roof panels. Inaddition, the mid roof panel can be supplied with a tilting and movingmechanism like that employed for the front roof panel to allow forindependent venting and retraction. Additional sunroof panels can beprovided. Moreover, it is alternately envisioned that scissor drivingmechanisms and other camming and linkage arrangements can be employed totilt or slide the front roof panel, mid roof panel or back windowrelative to the stationary fixed tracks. Several of the electric motorsmay also be combined functionally together or replaced by hydraulic orother actuating devices. A further alternate construction uses the decklid or package shelf as a tonneau cover substitute as long as thedesired functions are achieved. The tonneau cover system, sealingarrangement and backlite mechanism can be used with a conventionalconvertible soft top or hard top roof, and the roof panel mechanisms canbe employed with otherwise conventional sunroofs.

[0056] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in natureand, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the inventionare intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variationsare not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automotive vehicle roof system comprising: aheader; a pair of side rails extending from the header; a storagecompartment; a deck lid selectively covering the storage compartment; afirst roof panel movably coupled to the pair of side rails, the firstroof panel being slidable from a closed and functional position adjacentthe header to an opened position located in the storage compartment; aback window movably coupled to the pair of side rails, the back windowbeing movable from a closed and functional position to an openedposition located in the storage compartment; and a generally continuousseal extending along the header, one of the pair of side rails, the decklid, and the other of the pair of side rails.
 2. The automotive vehicleroof system according to claim 1, further comprising: a second roofpanel movably coupled to the pair of side rails, the second roof panelbeing substantially rigid, separate from the first roof panel, andslidable from a closed position located between the first roof panel andthe back window to an opened position located in the storagecompartment; and a seal member disposed between the first roof panel andthe second roof panel for sealingly engaging the first roof panel andthe second roof panel, the seal member having an integrally formed draintrough.
 3. The automotive vehicle roof system according to claim 1wherein the generally continuous seal is substantially uniform incross-section.
 4. The automotive vehicle roof system according to claim1 wherein the generally continuous seal includes a double-bulbcross-section and integrally formed drain trough.
 5. The automotivevehicle roof system according to claim 1, further comprising: at leastone corner piece coupled at a corner of said generally continuous seal.6. The automotive vehicle roof system according to claim 5 wherein saidat least one corner piece is a drain pocket.
 7. An automotive vehicleroof system comprising: a header; a pair of side rails extending fromthe header; a storage compartment; a deck lid selectively covering thestorage compartment; a roof panel movably coupled to the pair of siderails, the first roof panel being slidable from a closed and functionalposition adjacent the header to an opened position located in thestorage compartment; a back window movably coupled to the pair of siderails, the back window being movable from a closed and functionalposition to an opened position located in the storage compartment; and adouble-bulb seal extending along the header and the pair of side rails.8. The automotive vehicle roof system according to claim 7 wherein thedouble-bulb seal includes an integrally formed drain trough.
 9. Anautomotive vehicle roof system for a vehicle, the automotive vehicleroof system comprising: a first roof panel slidably mountable to thevehicle, the first roof panel being slidable from a closed position toan opened position; a second roof panel slidably mountable to thevehicle, the second roof panel being slidable from a closed position toan opened position; and a seal member disposed between the first roofpanel and the second roof panel for sealingly engaging the first roofpanel and the second roof panel, the seal member having at least a pairof integrally formed drain troughs.
 10. The automotive vehicle roofsystem according to claim 9 wherein said seal member is a double bulbseal.